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Game Preview: Pacers vs Cavaliers

Last Updated: Feb. 1 at 11:15 AM

Matchup

When the Pacers (25-22) and the Cavaliers (34-12) meet on Monday night, both teams will look very different than they did in their last matchup, a 101-97 Cavs victory on Nov. 8 in Cleveland. In fact, both teams have undergone major changes just within the last two weeks.

The Pacers, having already more or less abandoned the small lineup they utilized at the start of the year, made a major move this week by inserting 19-year-old rookie Myles Turner into the starting five. Indiana won its first two games with Turner starting, pulling away from Atlanta on Thursday and then holding off Denver in overtime on Saturday.

But while most of the attention has focused on the 6-11 rookie and his increased role, it's been the improved play of proven scorer Monta Ellis that has made the biggest difference in the win-loss column over the past few days. The 10-year-veteran battled knee soreness for much of the first couple months, but he's finally starting to feel like his old self.

Ellis has led the team in scoring in each of the past two victories, averaging 28.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 4.0 steals. While he's shown promise all year attacking the basket, Ellis has struggled with his outside shot, shooting under 30 percent from 3-point range. But he's been on fire from long range lately, making 9-of-15 shots from beyond the arc (60 percent) in his past two games.

The Cavaliers, meanwhile, have undergone high-profile personnel changes. Star point guard Kyrie Irving returned from injury in late December, but the real shocker came on Jan. 22, when Cleveland fired head coach David Blatt despite being in first place in the Eastern Conference.

The Cavs dropped their first game under new head coach Tyronn Lue a day later, but have since reeled off four straight wins. Home victories over Minnesota and Phoenix should come as no shocker, but Cleveland picked up a solid road win in Detroit on Friday and then followed that up with a convincing 117-103 win over the Spurs on the second night of a back-to-back.

Cleveland's "Big Three" are all playing well right now. LeBron James, Irving, and Kevin Love combined for 71 points on 57.4 percent shooting against San Antonio. The Pacers will need to put together one of their better defensive performances of the season to contain Cleveland's triumvirate.

Projected Starters

George Hill

George Hill

Monta Ellis

Monta Ellis

Paul George

Paul George

Myles Turner

Myles Turner

Jordan Hill

Jordan Hill

Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving

J.R. Smith

J.R. Smith

LeBron James

LeBron James

Kevin Love

Kevin Love

Tristan Thompson

Tristan Thompson

Pacers: PG - George Hill, SG - Monta Ellis, SF - Paul George, PF - Myles Turner, C - Jordan Hill
Cavaliers: PG - Kyrie Irving, SG - J.R. Smith, SF - LeBron James, PF - Kevin Love, C - Tristan Thompson

Injury Report

Pacers: Ian Mahinmi - out (sore lower back), Rodney Stuckey - out (right foot sprain and bone bruise)

Cavaliers: None

Last Meeting

November 8, 2015: Paul George and Monta Ellis combined for 57 points, but the Cavaliers held on for a narrow 101-97 win over the Pacers at Quicken Loans Arena. A 13-2 run in the fourth quarter allowed the Pacers to take a two-point lead with 4:12 remaining, but Cleveland regained the advantage on Tristan Thompson's jumper with 3:17 remaining and held on the rest of the way for the victory.

"We were there down the stretch," George Hill said after the loss. "It was just a matter of making shots (and) missing shots. We missed a couple. They made more."

George recorded his third straight double-double and fourth in seven games, finishing with 32 points on 11-of-21 shooting, 11 rebounds, and six assists. Ellis topped 20 points for the first time as a member of the Pacers, finishing with 25, while going 10-for-17 from the field.

LeBron James led Cleveland with 29 points, six boards, and four assists. Kevin Love added 22 points and 19 rebounds, while Thompson chipped in 16 points and eight boards off the bench.

Noteworthy

  • The Pacers have won 10 straight games over the Cavaliers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Cleveland has not won in Indianapolis since Jan. 29, 2010.
  • Indiana leads the overall series with Cleveland, 92-86.
  • Pacers forward Jordan Hill needs 20 points to reach 3,000 for his career.

Broadcast Information TV & Radio Listings »

TV: FOX Sports Indiana - Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
Radio: 93.5 FM/AM 1070 The Fan - Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Slick Leonard (analyst) Pat Boylan (sideline reporter/host)
Please Note: Inside Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Pacers radio broadcasts can be heard on 1080 AM instead of 1070.

Tickets

Good seats still remain for Monday's game against LeBron and the Cavs: Find Tickets »

Home Court Gift Shop Game Night Special

Select Pacers Long Sleeved T-Shirts - $15. Game Night Specials can be purchased in the Home Court Gift Shop or any of our souvenir stands located on all levels of Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The special is also available online at PacersGear.com until midnight.